3 British Islamic schools require girls to wear veils

"It is very sad in 21st century Britain that three schools are effectively forcing girls as young as 11 to hide their faces," he told the paper. "How on earth are these young ladies going to grow up as part of a fully integrated society if they are made to regard themselves as objects at such a young age?"

The Telegraph said none of the schools responded to its questions.

Madani, which has 260 pupils, charges fees of 1,900 pounds (approximately $3,000) a year cash only, the Telegraph said.

School uniform rules listed on the website have been deleted but an earlier version, seen by the newspaper, stated: "The present uniform conforms to the Islamic Code of dressing. Outside the school, this comprises of the black Burka and Niqab."

The admission application form warns girls will be "appropriately punished" for failing to wear the correct uniform, the Telegraph said, noting its website adds: "If parents are approached by the Education Department regarding their child's education, they should not disclose any information without discussing it with the committee."

Explaining the school's ethos, the Telegraph reported that Madani's website says: "If we oppose the lifestyle of the west then it does not seem sensible that the teachers and the system, which represents that lifestyle, should educate our children."

Jamea Al Kauthar is a 2,500-pound-a-year (nearly $4,000) girls' boarding school, which accommodates 400 pupils in the grounds of Lancaster's former Royal Albert Hospital, the Telegraph said.

The Telegraph says the school states on its website: "Black Jubbah [smock-like outer garment] and dopatta [shawl] is compulsory as well as purdah (veil) when leaving and returning to Jamea. Scarves are strictly not permitted."

The website also lists a wide range of banned items, including family photographs, and warns: "Students must not cut their hair, nor remove hair from between their eyebrows. Doing so will lead to suspention (sic)."

Jamea Al Kauthar was rated "outstanding" by Ofsted earlier this year.